Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Dickey Seeking Reelection As Representative

Incumbent Congressman Jay Dickey has formally announced his intentions to seek reelection for the Fourth District House of Representatives.

Dickey made the announcement Monday, June 7, in Pine Bluff, with House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill).

"Today," Dickey said, "I am announcing for re-election as your Fourth District Congressman. I stand here today asking you for your vote and your support in the 2000 election."

Hastert flew in to support Dickey in his bid for reelection and to help get the campaign jump started with a $100,000 luncheon fundraiser. He also presented Dickey with $1,000 from his personal campaign funds.

Hastert said the Fourth District needs Dickey because he puts people first when casting his votes in the House. "Jay is a strong and respected member of Congress and we need him in Washington to fight for our conservative values."

Dickey outlined several things he will continue to fight for as congressman. He plans to serve the nation's interest by protecting Social Security, improving education, providing a strong national defense, further reducing crime and shrinking government's size through tax reduction.

"I will continue to fight to bring opportunities back to the district in the form of projects while at the same time protecting agriculture and rural health care," Dickey said. "We must elevate the level of expectancy and confidence among our people. For too long, we in southern Arkansas have been conditioned to believe people in Washington know better than we do about what is good for us.

"I believe we should fight for what we deserve rather than accept what we've been conditioned to expect."

Dickey talked about recent increases in highway funds for the southern part of the state and vowed to keep fighting for highways and infrastructure in the district.

He plans on asking his opponents if they condone the way the democratic leadership in the state has treated southern Arkansas and if they plan to do anything differently.

"I don't know what their answers will be," he said, "but I know our answer is 'No, we don't condone the leadership of the past and demand we fight harder for progress as we set out to do in 1992."

Dickey is being challenged by democratic State Sen. Mike Ross.